Welding Fumes: The Hidden Risks
Welding plays a key role in industries such as manufacturing, construction and mining, and amidst the sparks and heat, there’s an invisible threat that can jeopardise the health of welders and surrounding workers. Welding fumes are comprised of various gases and particles, and these pose significant health risks. In this article we’re exploring the dangers associated with welding fumes and highlight the role that Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) can play in mitigating these risks.
Welding Fume Health Hazards
Welding fumes contain a variety of hazardous substances including metal oxides, ozone and harmful gases such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When inhaled, these particles and gases can penetrate deep into the lungs with potential short and long-term health impacts.
Short term exposure to welding fumes can cause respiratory irritation, dizziness, nausea, eye, nose and throat irritation. Prolonged or repeated exposure to these fumes can have more severe consequences. Studies have linked welding fume exposure to occupational asthma, chronic bronchitis and even lung cancer.
WHO Statistics
The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that occupational exposure to welding fumes is a significant public health concern. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified welding fumes as Group 1 carcinogens, meaning they are known to cause cancer in humans.
In a study conducted by the WHO, it was estimated that around 11% of lung cancer deaths among welders were attributed to occupational exposure to welding fumes. Additionally, the study revealed an increased risk of lung cancer among non-smoking welders, indicating that the fumes themselves contribute to the elevated risk.
How PAPR Respirators can Mitigate Risk
To protect workers from the hazardous effects of welding fumes, effective personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical. One effective solution is the use of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs).
PAPRs provide welders with a continuous flow of filtered air, creating positive pressure inside the respirator hood or helmet. This positive pressure prevents the entry of contaminated air and fumes, ensuring that the wearer breathes only clean, filtered air.
PAPRs offer several advantages over traditional respirators, such as disposable masks or air-purifying respirators (APRs). They provide a higher level of protection by sealing the entire head, reducing the risk of fume inhalation. PAPRs also minimise the burden on the respiratory system by reducing the need for the wearer to draw air through a filter, making breathing easier during strenuous activities such as welding.
At Stratex we’re proud to offer Maxisafe PAPR respirators, which are available to suit a variety of applications. These PAPR systems can effectively remove dust, gases and vapours to protect workers in hazardous environments. They provide constant filtered air flow and advanced electronic system warnings in the event of decreased airflow or low battery.
The danger of inhaling welding fumes is well documented, and the best way to mitigate these risks is to use appropriate respiratory protection such as a PAPR respirator. Explore the range of PAPR systems available now from Stratex, or contact us for more information.
CleanAIR Verus Welding Helmet & AerGO PAPR KitKit includes the following:
CleanAIR Versus Welding Helmet
- An advanced built-in air distribution system with the highest standard in respiratory protection TH3 / NPF 500
- Outer control of the direction and intensity of the air in the helmet.
- Newly designed head suspension allows multiple individual settings.
- True colour ADF with the highest optical quality 1/1/1/1
CleanAIR AerGO PAPR Belt Unit
CleanAIR® AerGO® is a universal powered air purifying respirator designed for personal respiratory protection in dusty industrial environments including areas with contaminants in the form of gases and vapours. The unit is supplied with a control system providing constant air flow and with an advanced electronic system for warning the wearer in case of a sudden decrease of airflow or of a low battery charge.
CleanAIR Verus Welding Helmet & AerGO PAPR KitKit includes
CleanAIR Omnira COMBI Welding Helmet
- The flip-up front can be lifted up whenever the wide undisturbed view is needed
- The flip-up system allows you to switch between welding and grinding without compromising respiratory protection
- The highest respiratory protection and more comfort thanks to an advanced built-in air distribution system
- True colour ADF with the highest optical quality 1/1/1/1
CleanAIR AerGO PAPR Belt Unit
CleanAIR® AerGO® is a universal powered air purifying respirator designed for personal respiratory protection in dusty industrial environments including areas with contaminants in the form of gases and vapours. The unit is supplied with a control system providing constant air flow and with an advanced electronic system for warning the wearer in case of a sudden decrease of airflow or of a low battery charge.
CleanAIR Omnira COMBI Welding Helmet & CleanAIR Basic PAPR KitKit includes:
CleanAIR Omnira COMBI Welding Helmet
- The flip-up front can be lifted up whenever the wide undisturbed view is needed
- The flip-up system allows you to switch between welding and grinding without compromising respiratory protection
- The highest respiratory protection and more comfort thanks to an advanced built-in air distribution system
- True colour ADF with the highest optical quality 1/1/1/1
CleanAIR BASIC PAPR Unit
- Lightweight and compact
- Exchangeable Li-Ion battery
- Adjustable airflow in five levels (170 – 240lpm)
- Flow Control system maintains constant airflow regardless of the level of filter clogging or battery charge
- Up to 10 hours of battery life with 5 hour charging time
CleanAIR Verus Welding Helmet & Basic PAPR KitKit includes the following:
CleanAIR Versus Welding Helmet
- An advanced built-in air distribution system with the highest standard in respiratory protection TH3 / NPF 500
- Outer control of the direction and intensity of the air in the helmet.
- Newly designed head suspension allows multiple individual settings.
- True colour ADF with the highest optical quality 1/1/1/1
CleanAIR BASIC PAPR Unit
- Lightweight and compact
- Exchangeable Li-Ion battery
- Adjustable airflow in five levels (170 – 240lpm)
- Flow Control system maintains constant airflow regardless of the level of filter clogging or battery charge
- Up to 10 hours of battery life with 5 hour charging time
Evolve Auto Welding Helmet with PAPR KitThis new generation of welding hoods from Maxisafe incorporate the revolutionary ADC Plus technology of Angular Dependence Compensation making it suitable for all welding methods including TIG, even with very low welding currents. The proof of the high quality is in its extended guarantee of 5 years and DIN Plus certificate with the best possible results of optical quality 1/1/1/1.
Product Features
- Combines an auto-darkening welding hood and a clear protective visor
- Ideal for welding and grinding protection
- Lightweight (775g) and well balanced for comfort
- Advanced pivot flip-up mechanism optimises the centre of gravity
- The flip-up front can be lifted up onto the top of the helmet, whenever the wide undisturbed view is needed.
- The unique flip-up mechanism optimises the centre of gravity and reduces the required space.
- Large curved visor 170 x 95mm for wide view
- Compatible with ADFs or passive filters 110 – 90 mm
- Suitable for most of welding methods, cleaning and grinding operations
- Fully CE certified
The AerGo has been designed for personal respiratory protection in dusty industrial environments, including areas with contaminants in the form of gases and vapours. The unit is provided with a control system of constant air flow and an advanced electronic system for warning the wearer in the case of a sudden decrease of airflow or low battery charge. The ergonomic shape, low weight and slim profile of the unit guarantees a high level of user comfort.
Advantages:- Ergonomic shape and low weight ONLY 980 grams!
- Slim profile only 65mm thick
- Operating time of up to 10 hours (with a new filter and airflow 160 l/min)
- Short battery recharging time less than 3 hours
- Adjustable airflow (160 lpm and 210 lpm)
- Audiovisual and vibrating alarm indicating low airflow and low battery charge
- Simple control with only one button
- Li-Ion Battery 14,4 V / 2,6 Ah
Code: RWH532a – Complete Unit including Helmet and PAPR Unit in quality storage toolbox
Ready 2 Weld set RangeMAX + CA AerGOBroaden your perspective
The most innovative and ergonomical helmet to date, expanding the welder´s field of vision without compromising on comfort. The unique nose cut-out floats above the nose to position the ADF closer to the eyes. This enlarges the field of vison 6 times compared to the conventional welding helmets. Fully automated shade level adjustment for any welding procedure in the 5-12 range. In-built air distribution system delivers the air right into the breathing zone.
Product Features
- 6-times larger field-of-view compared to standard helmets
- AUTOPILOT – fully automatic shade level adjustment within the range 5-12. If preferred, the Autopilot can be deactivated for manual shade level selection 7-12
- True colour view ADF
- TWILIGHT dimming function – gradual light restoration reducing eye fatigue
- Shade level 2,5 in inactive mode
- New energy concept with Lithium-polymere battery
- Multi-Sensor detection – 5 sensors
- Grind mode function
- In-built air distribution system
- The highest standard in respiratory protection – TH3
Areas of application
Any electric arc welding process Electrode Welding (Stick Welding, SMAW) / MIG / MAG (GMAW)/ GMAW High melting rate process / Flux Cored Wire Welding / TIG welding (GTAW) / Plasma Arc Welding / Plasmacutting & Oxy-gas Welding / Grinding in Grind Mode. Prohibited for laser welding!
Technical Data
Weight
545 g (725 g with air distribution)
ADF dimension
unique specific cut-out shape
Shade Level
DIN 5 – 12 Open state shade DIN
Viewing Area
6 time wider compared to conventional ADF
Hose Connection
QuickLOCK
Certification
EN 379 1/1/1/2, EN 175 B, EN 12941 TH3
Protection factor (NPF)
500
